Entertainment Magazine: Tucson: Events

Tucson Holiday Events: Christmas and Hanukkah 2021

Despite the ongoing pandemic, some annual 2021 Christmas and Chanukah (Hannukah) celebrations in Tucson, Arizona are still being held, but modified this year with special COVID health restrictions.

Expect that any indoor or outdoor holiday events in Tucson may require face masks and social distancing. Some event promoters may require proof of vaccination as well. Call ahead of your visit for reservations and protocols.

Below are some of the popular holiday activities and upcoming family daily and weekend winter events in Tucson that are still being held throughout December both indoors, outdoors, or virtually. 

• Channukah First Night: Sunday, November 28, 2021
• Channukah Last Night: Monday, December 6, 2021
• Christmas Day: Saturday, December 25, 2021
• New Year's Eve: Friday, December 31, 2021

Tucson Holiday Events

December 2021

• Nineteenth Annual Miracle en el Barrio event, presented by NOVA® Home Loans. Donate online.
• Miracle on Congress Street is held every weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Kids can visit with Santa. Playground Bar & Lounge, 278 E. Congress St.
  

Through January 8, 2022

• Tucson Holiday Ice Rink, hosted by the City of Tucson, returns this year! The rink is located on Church Avenue, south of Broadway, in front of the Tucson Convention Center. Open through January 9 from 2-9:30pm weekdays; noon-9:30pm on weekends. The ice rink is closed on Christmas Day. To accommodate the outdoor ice rink, Church Avenue between Broadway and Cushing Street is restricted to one lane of travel in each direction until Sunday, January 16, 2022. This travel restriction are in place 24-hours a day, seven days a week for the duration of the event. Until Tuesday, January 11, 2022, Church Avenue between Jackson Street and Cushing Street is closed to all travel from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for loading and unloading of the chiller. More information call 520-791-4204 or visit Tucson Holiday Ice and book your reservation online.

Through December 26, 2021

• Winterhaven Festival of Lights returns with in-person viewing from 6-10pm every night. Admission is free. Winterhaven is bounded by Ft. Lowell Road, Prince Road, Tucson Blvd., and Country Club.
  

Through December at the Gaslight

• Dec. 1, 2021 - 6pm show: Bluegrass Jamboree
• Dec. 2, 6pm: Jingle Bell Rockin' Revue
• Dec. 3, 7pm: Dance to the Music Dance Party with Little House of Funk
• Dec. 4, 2021 - 2pm & 6pm shows: Peter, Paul & Mary Christmas Experience *MacDougal St West*
• Dec. 5, 6pm: Jingle Bell Rockin' Revue
• Dec. 8, 2021 -  6pm show: Mariachi Extravaganza Feliz Navidad
• Dec. 9, 6pm: Jingle Bell Rockin' Revue
• Dec. 10, 7pm: All Right Now Dance Party with Rillito River Band
• Dec. 11, 2021 - 2pm & 6pm shows: 56' Rock & Roll Revue
• Dec. 12, 3pm & 7pm: Jingle Bell Rockin' Revue
  

• Dec. 14, 2021 - 6pm show: Country Christmas with the Southwestern Stars, starring Mamma Coal

• Dec. 16, 6pm: Jingle Bell Rockin' Revue

• Dec. 17, 7pm: Music for the Soul Dance Party with the George Howard Band

• Dec. 18, 2pm & 6pm: Most Wonderful Time of the Year with the Pete Swan BIG BAND!

• Dec. 19, 3pm & 7pm: Jingle Bell Rockin' Revue

• Dec. 21, 6pm: Upbeat & Sweet with a Holiday Treat, starring Joe Bourne

• Dec. 22-24, 6pm: Jingle Bell Rockin' Revue

• Dec. 26, 6pm: Super Songs of the 60s with The TRIBUTaries

• Dec. 28-31, select times: Holiday Evening with Cher, Streisand, Bocelli and MORE! Starring THE EDWARDS TWINS

Sunday, December 5, 2021

• Ballet Tucson will host its 20th Annual Sugar Plum Tea at 1:00 pm. There are few things more rewarding than experiencing the joy of tradition during the festive season, and the Sugar Plum Tea has become a Holiday tradition for Tucson families.

Sunday, December 5-23 & 26-27

• Reid Park Zoo Lights Holiday Magic, 6-8pm. Thousands of twinkling lights, Santa, snow, music and fun!
  

Friday-Sunday, December 10-12, 2021

• Fourth Avenue Street Fair with hundreds of vendors, live music nd food. 10am-dusk. Fourth Avenue between East Eight Street and East University Blvd. Visit Hurricane Records for classic vinyl albums.
  

Friday, December 10-11 & December 17-18, 2021

• Tohono Chul Holiday Nights takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on December 10 & 11 and December 17 & 18. Tickets are available online with ticket prices at $13 for members, $17 for the general public, $6 for children ages 5-12 and children under 5 are no charge. Masks are required at this event.

Friday, December 10-19, 2021

• The Arizona Repertory Singers will once again offer live choral concerts this December. The title, “Sim Shalom, Grant Peace,” takes its name from a Hebrew prayer, set to music composed by Jennaya Robison. Hebrew will be one of seven different languages sung during the concert. 

December 10, 7:30 p.m. | Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams Street, Tucson AZ 85719. December 12, 7:30 p.m. | Christ the King Episcopal Church, 2800 W. Ina Road, Tucson AZ 85741. 
December 17, 7:30 p.m.

 | St. Albans Episcopal Church, 3738 N. Old Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson AZ 85750. December 19, 3:00 p.m. | Christ Church United Methodist, 655 N. Craycroft Road, Tucson AZ 85711. Tickets are $18 online at arsingers.org or $20 at the door. Students are free. 

Saturday, December 11, 2021

• Girl Scouts Winter Market for crafts and wintyer gifts. 4330 E. Broadway. Free.
• The Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona is hosting their 4th annual Saturday with Santa this Saturday, December 11th from 10 am to 2 pm. The Diaper Bank opens its portal to the North Pole to create a winter wonderland in the middle of the Arizona desert. Saturday with Santa is a FREE event.
  
• This year’s Angel Ball, Saturday, December 11, 2021, 5:30pm, at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, Tucson Arizona. Please call Angel Charity at 520-326-3686 or email [email protected]

Sunday, December 12, 2021

• Tucson Girls Chorus presents the Sounds of Winter Concert on December 12, 2021 at 3:00 pm. The TGC will host an outdoor concert featuring the talented voices of the TGC singers. The concert will be at the Georges DeMeester Performance Center in Reid Park.
  

Friday, December 17-19, 2021

• Tanque Verde Holiday Fesitval with 40 local artists and crafts 10am-5pm, 7025 E. Tanque Verde Road. Free.
  

Saturday, December 18 & 19, 2021

• Messiah, Carols and Songs with José Luis Gomez, conductor and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Selections from Handel's Messiah as well as music of Bach and a Fantasia on Greensleeves. From $49. Sat. at 4pm and Sun at 2pm. Catalina Foothills High School.

Saturday, December 18, 2021

• TUCSON ARIZONA BOYS CHORUS HOLIDAY CONCERT Outdoor socially distanced performance at the UA Crowder Hall. All tickets by advanced reservation only.
  

Thursday, December 23, 24 & 26, 2021

• Ballet Tucson traditional Victorian production of The Nutcracker at the Tucson Music Hall for 4 performances only on December 23, 24, and 26th 2021. General tickets $37-$65.

Friday, December 24, 2021

• Hotel Congress Cup Cafe is serving up inspired holiday specials in addition to the regular menu for you to enjoy with friends and family for Christmas and New Year's! Christmas Eve Open 8am-3pm, 4-8pm. Christmas Day Open 10am-4pm
  

Saturday, December 25, 2021

• Christmas Day in Tucson

Thursday, December 30-31, 2021

• DECADENCE AZ, DECEMBER 30 & 31, 2021. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30: Alesso; Alison Wonderland; BIJOU; Chris Lake; DJ Snake; Gem & Tauri; Kaskade; Madeon (dj set); Martin Ikin; Nora En Pure; Purple Disco Machine; Seven Lions; Austin Feldman and Dark Mark. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31: Alan Walker; Destructo; Diesel, aka Shaquille O’Neal; Dillon Francis; Excision; Fisher; Gordo; Lost Kings; Loud Luxury; Marshmello; Sonny Fodera; TVBOO; 2SOON, and Animate. Decadence Arizona is produced by Relentless Beats and Global Dance.

Marana/Oro Valley Holiday Events

Saturday & Sunday, December 4-5, 2021

• Wednesday, Dec. 1-31 - Shopping deals! Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center & more gift ideas
• Saturday, Dec. 4 - Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Festival presented by The Town of Marana
• Friday, Dec. 10- 12; 17-23 - Christmas Express at the Marana Pumpkin Patch
• Tuesday, Dec. 21 - Winter Solstice Guided Tour at Los Morteros presented by Old Pueblo Archaeology

• Marana Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is the biggest Christmas tree and light show in Southern Arizona. Start the holidays with a drive through the Town of Marana's incredible Christmas Cruise & Tree Light Show from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The synchronized tree show will light up your mood to explore, dine, and play golf. Free event.
  

• Oro Valley Festival of the Arts & Holiday Tree Lighting at Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N Oracle Road. The Oro Valley Festival of the Arts and Holiday Tree Lighting is a two-day Festival that adds vibrancy to Oro Valley by creating opportunities for people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds to celebrate the arts alongside a meaningful celebration to welcome the Holidays. The mission of the Festival of the Arts is to connect art and the community by presenting an annual arts festival and by promoting the arts in the Southern Arizona community. In 2021, the event will feature a reduced capacity of artists, featuring space for up to 120 exhibitors, artists, and food vendors. The event will maintain vibrancy by featuring student performances, Tuba Christmas performances, free children's activities, and a modified community gathering around the Holiday tree for a unique tree lighting experience. Free to attend, food available for purchase. Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Road. Art Festival Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm. Tree lighting festivities start Saturday, 2pm-6:30pm. Lighting of the Oro Valley Holiday Tree at approximately 6pm.
  

Sonoita/Elgin Holiday Events

• Sonoita Vineyards, December 2, 2021: Wine, Whiskey, Warriors Charity Dinner, @ Sonoita Fairgrounds, 5:00-9:00pm. December 11, 2021: Sonoita Small Town Christmas @ Sonoita Fairgrounds 10am-5:30pm, FREE ADMISSION
  Live Music at the Winery; Nancy Elliot - November 27th, December 18th, December 26th; John Hughes - December 4th. 290 Elgin-Canelo Road.

Saturday, December 4, 2021

• AZ Hops and Vines Deck the Halls event with six wines paired with cookies, soufenir glasw, live music, holiday market, pizza, and ugly Christmas sweater contest and Santa Clus. 3450 Highway 82, Sonoita. Admision $27.25.

Sahuarita Holiday Event

Sunday, December 18

• Sahuarita Winter Fesitval with music and food. 5-9pm at 375 W. Sahuarit Center Way. Free.

Vail Holiday Events

Saturday, December 4, 2021

• Vail Fest celebrates the holidays with family events such as go-kart races, petting zoo, horseback riding, corn hole, horseshoe tournament and more. Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road. 9am-4pm.Parking $15 per car, event is free.
  

Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus Events & Tree Lot

• The Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus Tree Lot Beautiful fresh cut trees at competitive prices. Douglas Fir, Noble Fir and Nordman Fir. Deliveries available. Fresh wreaths and garland.

• December 18: TUCSON ARIZONA BOYS CHORUS HOLIDAY CONCERT Outdoor socially distanced performance at the UA Crowder Hall. All tickets by advanced reservation only.
  

New Year's Eve 2021

• New Year's Eve Events in Tucson

Tucson Hanukkah Events in 2021

• Jewish Community Center (JCC) Upcoming Tucson Hanukkah events will be posted soon.

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